15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10223)

Bakulina T
Regional Charitable Social Organisation 'IMENS+', St. Petersburg, Ruddian Federation

ISSUES: Inspectors of the Council of Europe consider prisons in Russia as a place which is a constant torture. The situations get worse due to the large number of HIV positive inmates. In the correctional facilities of St. Petersburg and region there are 1200 TB infected prisoners, 6500 HIV positive and 9000 drug users. More than 90 percent of HIV infected persons in Russia are young (14 -29 years old) drug users who eventually end up in prison.

DESCRIPTION: The prisoners were questioned in order to study the problems of HIV in prisons. The material assistance provided to the inmates, help in accessing the medication, help in further employment of the prisoners, the counseling of the medical professionals, lecture son the HIV/AIDS issues, as well as the educational lectures for the prisons staff.

LESSONS LEARNED: As lessons there were discovered the services and programs that PLWHA in prisons that they require. The self-support group has been created to help prisoners with HIV/AIDS improve the quality of life and help with sociological adaptation. The current employment within the correctional facilities is organized for some inmates. Recommendation: It is necessary to conduct regularly the seminars on HIV/AIDS both for prisoners and the prison staff. The self help groups must be supported by the administration of the prisons and by the city administration. Human rights of the prisoners should be observed as they are the citizen of the Russian Federation. The medical care, socio-psychological assistance and the medical insurance for ex-prisoners with HIV/AIDS should be provided.

040711
C10223

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